CEO FOREWORD
This term began with a moment of profound reflection and mourning as we marked the passing of Pope Francis Pope Francis was deeply committed to the dignity and potential of every child and often reminded us that education is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all children, especially those displaced by conflict or poverty He believed that children are not merely the future in a biological sense, but in a moral and spiritual one too
The Church welcomed Pope Leo XIV as his successor, the first North American to ascend to the papacy, a historic moment in itself In his early months, Pope Leo has already shown a heartfelt commitment to children and education He has spoken of his own childhood as an altar server in Chicago, emphasising the importance of early spiritual formation and the joy of serving others
Serving others is of utmost importance to us as a Catholic community Our patron saint, Saint John Southworth, dedicated his life to serving others, especially the most vulnerable, and remains a powerful example for our community
As we approach the end of another school year, I am pleased to share with you this edition of The SJS Review. It offers not only a celebration of our achievements, but a reflection on how our shared mission continues to shape and inspire the lives of the young people within it Most notably, their enthusiasm to serve others
Staff across the Trust continue to model our core values of dignity, service, and perseverance, and I am particularly humbled by the many stories in this review that highlight acts of kindness, celebration of community, and the pride our pupils take in continuing to grow in knowledge and faith.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our shared mission
Paul Stubbings Catholic Executive Officer
MESSAGE FROM THE LAY CHAPLAIN
At the heart of all we do in SJSCAT is Christ
Summer is here, and with it comes the close of another academic year This review will offer a taste of the many wonders that have unfolded within our Academy Trust over the past months.
We also find ourselves at the halfway point halfway through the Jubilee Year Opened on Christmas Eve, it will conclude at the Feast of the Epiphany And you how are you journeying through this Jubilee? Have you opened your hearts to receive the many graces the Father has prepared for you during this very special year? It will be another 25 years before we are given such a time of grace again, so why not make the most of this summer and the months ahead?
Within this review, you will discover moments filled with the Hope of the Jubilee—some shared in newsletters or on social media, others held quietly in the heart of God and His people Some decorated doors in school to remind themselves each morning that they are Pilgrims of Hope Others journeyed to their parish church, to the Cathedral for our Foundation Mass, to a Jubilee Church to walk through the Holy Doors or even to Assisi or Rome to physically embody the Church on pilgrimage towards the Kingdom
With renewed prayer and acts of charity, many have chosen to follow the one true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who guides each step of our earthly pilgrimage
Jesus is the true guide of His pilgrim Church. He walks ahead of us because He is the way. He walks among us, because He loves each single one of us with a love beyond human understanding He walks behind us, carrying the weakest on His shoulders, those who are tired, sick, wounded in body or soul
A true shepherd so that none may be lost for it is both individually and together that we are called to journey toward Heaven
Yes, we are pilgrims, then Pilgrims filled with Hope
How can we not think of Saint John Southworth, who walked so many roads, fleeing persecution during the Reformation, yet always returning to his mission Tireless in his journeying, he carried the light of Hope to the sick, the weak, and the poor of Westminster during times of plague A faithful messenger, reminding us that we, too, are pilgrims on this earth, journeying toward the Father who waits for us with open arms.
"How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces the Good News" , says Isaiah (52:7) As we reach the end of this academic year, let us give thanks for all the treasures we have received many of which are shared in this review and let us continue our journey heavenward May the Good News shape our path
Summer is here.
Let us use these weeks of rest to slow our pace, pause at this milestone, replenish our strength, reflect on our choices and the graces we have received, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to reach our destination So that, strengthened by the journey we have walked, we, members of Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust, may arrive at the end of the Jubilee in a few months’ time, renewed and ready to continue the work entrusted to us
Saint John Southworth, pray for us
Caroline Moulinet SJSCAT Lay Chaplain
SJSCAT RECOLLECTION
It was very moving to reflect on the rich history of the Catholic faith in the UK and on the powerful witness of the Holy Martyrs of England and Wales at our first SJSCAT Recollection Especially Saint John Southworth, the patron saint of our Academy Trust who was martyred at Tyburn in 1654 Tyburn Convent, near the site of the executions, remains a sacred place of prayer and remembrance The shrine there, housing relics of the martyrs, invites us to recall their sacrifice and to live our own faith with courage and love
Thank you to Caroline Moulinet, Lay Chaplain, and Lauren from Hidden Catholic for providing a tour of the Convent. This visit held extra significance as it coincided with our celebration of the Feast of Saint John Southworth and the Sacred Heart.
CATHOLIC LIFE
On Thursday 26 June, over 900 pupils from across the schools within the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust gathered at Westminster Cathedral for the Foundation Day Mass The Mass celebrated the feast day of the Trust’s patron, Saint John Southworth
The Trust was established in September 2021, with the aim of creating a family of schools in line with the Diocesan vision The shared mission of our Trust, built on solidarity and subsidiarity, is to support our pupils’ formation and achievement, whilst preserving and strengthening excellent Catholic education
It was an honour to have Bishop Curry celebrate our Foundation Mass Bishop Curry is a former Chair of Governors at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, the most recent school to join the Trust, a former Governor of The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, as well as being one of the founding Directors of the Trust itself. In June 2024, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
On Thursday 22 May, 22 Pupil Chaplains from the schools within the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust gathered at Westminster Cathedral for our second Pupil Chaplain Retreat Day
The day was led by Caroline Moulinet, SJSCAT Lay Chaplain, and Guild of St John Southworth Co-ordinator, and was a wonderful opportunity for pupils and staff to gather in the Cathedral where Saint John Southworth’s mortal remains rest.
During our recent Pupil Chaplains Retreat Day in May, young chaplains were invited to organise a Trust-wide Fundraising Event, embodying the SJSCAT motto: "Omnia in Uno" – Everything in One Together and unique
For the second year, the Trust has supported the Priests Training Fund of Westminster This cause is especially meaningful, as we walk in the footsteps of Saint John Southworth, known as “the priest of Westminster.”
PUPIL CHAPLAINCY RETREAT DAY
ST AUGUSTINE’S
This term has been particularly full with lots of wonderful events and milestones to round up a wonderful year This year we have celebrated our 60 anniversary and since the school opened its doors in 1964, we have offered excellent Catholic teaching to our pupils We are proud to continue this legacy and thanks to the ongoing support of our community, we can improve and expand our offerings for children at the school now and in the future th
There have been many highlights, too many to mention, but some that come to mind are Amanda Anisimova’s visit, a very special Service to celebrate the school’s 60 anniversary, and seeing pupils in Years 3 and 4 celebrating their first Holy Communion th
Our pupils have been very fortunate to have been on several exciting school trips from the British Library and the Royal Observatory to Holland Opera Park. As I write this, our Year 6 pupils are currently on their residential trip to PGL! I hear they’re having a great time.
This year, St Augustine’s proudly celebrated 60 years of education To mark this special milestone, former headteachers and staff returned to join the festivities and reconnect with the school community We were also honoured to welcome back Bishop Michael, who led a beautiful anniversary Mass
This celebration marked the school’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young minds academically, socially, and emotionally.
Year 6 have enjoyed a wonderful time and a well deserved break following their SATs at PGL
The children have taken part in abseiling, buggy building, the high team challenge and fencing, showing great teamwork and courage throughout
Whether up high or in the water, they’ve supported each other and had loads of fun along the way making some very special memories.
AMANDA ANISIMOVA VISIT
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School was thrilled to be joined by professional women’s tennis player Amanda Anisimova for an inspiring tennis clinic
Amanda offered incredible insight into life on the pro circuit sharing her journey, answering questions, and helping the girls build their skills and confidence on court
The visit also celebrated a historic moment for women’s tennis: in 2025, The Queen’s Club will host a WTA 500 event for the first time in over 50 years, as part of a blockbuster fortnight of tennis
Huge thanks to Amanda for inspiring the next generation and showing our students what’s possible. In honour of her visit, Year 5 & 6 have named their tennis trophy after Amanda.
60 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL TO PGL
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
Four Cardinal Vaughan Sixth Form pupils, Claudia, Andrea, Yanush, and Bill, recently embarked on a truly memorable experience as volunteers on a pilgrimage to Lourdes with HCPT Group 32
CARDINAL VAUGHAN
Love and service is at the very core of everything we do here at The Vaughan As you will hopefully see from this page, we encourage our pupils to take an active role as agents of positive change in the world
From Sixth Form pupils volunteering on a pilgrimage to Lourdes and completing more community service than ever before to First Form pupil Franco M completing the final 100 km of the Camino de Santiago, our entire school has demonstrated faith in action
Highlights from this term also include our School Musical Production of Sweeney Todd, the VPA Summer Fete, and international trips to Paris, Berlin, Valencia, and Borneo!
It is a term of great sadness as we say goodbye to our much-love Associate Head, Caroline Whelan, who is retiring after 38 years of dedicated service to the school. We have so much to thank Caroline for – she is the very embodiment of our motto Amare et Servire.
Their journey was filled with joy, compassion, and deep personal growth as they supported young pilgrims with additional needs throughout a week packed with activity, reflection, and time as a community
HCPT (Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust) is a UK-based charity that takes children and young people with additional needs on lifechanging pilgrimages to Lourdes each Easter. Run largely by volunteers, the trips offer fun, friendship, and spiritual nourishment in a uniquely supportive environment.
The school held an assembly to award those pupils in the Lower Sixth who have taken part in community service throughout the year This has been a remarkable year with more community service undertaken than ever before
164 pupils, which is 85% of the year group, completed a total of 8,264 hours of service That’s nearly a full year’s worth of time given to others! Thank you to every pupil who has given their time in this way.
This year’s School Musical Production was Sweeney Todd, the infamous story of the demon barber of Fleet Street
Our cast and crew put in hours of hard work and dedication to bring this chilling musical to life It has also been a pleasure to welcome back alumni Morgan A (OV 24) and Hektor O (OV 24) to assist with the set design
Well done to all involved in another amazing production!
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
SCHOOL MUSICAL PRODUCTION
ST JOHN XXIII
We have managed to pack a lot in to the final term of this academic year at St John XXIII Our pupils have gone on trips to the BBC Park, SKY, City Hall, the Transport Museum, Kew Gardens, The Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, Linford Christie, and the Tate Modern! We’ve also hosted in-school workshops on topics from bikeability to mental health to mudlarks to STEAM!
We have enjoyed several special events where our community have gathered to celebrate our school, such as the International Summer Fair, which you can read about below We are so grateful to our families who volunteer their time and support us at these events
The highlight of this term was having eight pupils from our Pupil Chaplaincy Team taking part in Westminster Diocese’s Jubilee of Hope celebration Over 130 schools were invited to join in celebrating a liturgy lead by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The day was amazing to be a part of and the children were wowed by the sheer size of the event.
A group of pupils in Year 4 had a fantastic trip to Sky this term Pupils had prepared storyboards, and were then given the opportunity create a 90 second trailer based on their ideas
Pupils worked collaboratively and creatively in teams showcasing exceptional skills in directing, editing and acting
Well done, we definitely have some future TV careers ahead of us!
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER FAIR
Our International Summer Fair is an annual celebration of the cultural diversity within our school for pupils, parents and staff to work together to showcase and share various aspects of their cultures
Year 6 put on an incredible performance for their end of year show of Beauty and the Beast
Our school transformed into a magical kingdom with an enchanting production the costumes were dazzling, the music was amazing, and the entire audience was swept away by your performances!
A huge thank you to the teachers, families, and backstage crew who helped make this show happen.
On Friday 27 June, colours, sounds, aromas and flavours from all over the world blended together giving the school community the opportunity to experience a range of continents, countries and regions as they wandered through the school playground
This year, Let's Leap provided Go Karts as an activity for the children as well as a bouncy castle Little Foxes arranged for one of their coaches to do 'Beat the Goalie', too!
Thank you to the staff and volunteers who made this year’s Fair a success.
SKY BROADCASTING WORKSHOP
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
SUMMER CONCERT
Our summer concert was a joyful celebration of the musical talent across St Joseph’s Children from all year groups sang beautifully and impressed the audience with their skills on a variety of instruments
Our school choirs (and the staff choir!) gave wonderful performances, and the school orchestra played with great energy and enthusiasm
The concert was a true showcase of the hard work and dedication of our young musicians and our incredible Music Leader, Mrs Wiles Music is certainly alive and thriving at St Joseph’s!
Thank you to all the families and our special guests who came out in support of this concert. We hope you enjoyed singing along with us as much as we did!
This summer term has been packed with exciting events and meaningful activities across the school Highlights include our engaging STEM Week, Hinduism Week, and Health & Fitness Week, which featured an energetic Sports Day Year 5 enjoyed a fantastic residential at Sayers Croft, while Year 6 made lasting memories at Osmington Bay
Our pupils tackled their SATs with great resilience and tried their 'Personal Best' The school community supported the Catholic Children’s Society with a whole-school collection and took part in further Jubilee activities as part of the 'Year of Hope'
Children from across the school took part in our summer concert and, later in the term, 5 separate instrumental concerts took place. Music is a real strength of our school
Our incredible PTFA hosted a successful summer auction, gala, and fair A term full of learning, fun and community!
WESTMINSTER
DIOCESE FESTIVAL OF HOPE
Members of our Pupil Chaplaincy Team took part in the inspiring Festival of Hope at Westminster Cathedral, joining hundreds of children from across the Diocese The special service marked the Year of Hope and celebrated the faith and joy of young people As part of the day, our pupils had the opportunity to learn more about a range of charities working closely with the Diocese of Westminster, deepening their understanding of service, mission, and community support.
HEALTH AND FITNESS WEEK
Health and Fitness Week was packed with exciting activities such as basketball, football, nutrition talks, and mindfulness sessions A highlight was our Sports Day at the Millennium Arena in Battersea Park, where children from Nursery to Year 6 gave their personal best in races and challenges The week promoted physical and mental wellbeing It was wonderful to see every child involved Well done to all the children, and a big thank you to Mr Mclean for organising it all!
ST JOSEPH’S, MAIDA VALE
This term at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has been full of exciting experiences and meaningful learning Year 5 headed off to Sayers Croft for a residential adventure that nurtured independence and teamwork In science, pupils explored rock pools and the fascinating creatures within, even creating their own models in teams
We focused on ‘Handa’s Surprise’ which encouraged rich discussions, and Miss Diriye shared touching stories about her grandmother’s cherished possessions from Africa
Reception spent time planting and growing in the school garden, and the Crowning of Mary brought our community together in reflection and celebration
We extend a warm thank you to our families, staff and children for their enthusiasm, support and dedication throughout the term.
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer holiday.
NEIGHBOURCARE ST JOHN WOOD’S
On Thursday 15 May, Miss Ward organised a special afternoon of hymns, prayers and joy at St Joseph's in Maida Vale for guests from Neighbourcare
The Deputy Mayor of London, Joanne McCartney together with Councillor Aicha Less and Councillor James SmallEdwards visited St Joseph’s and were impressed by our children’s enthusiasm for learning about food, spices, herbs and how to combine healthy ingredients to create a taste sensation
Huge thanks to Mr Lambot and also to all of the parents who helped to make this event such a memorable occasion for all.
Year 5 had an unforgettable adventure at Sayers Croft this term, where they embraced the great outdoors and built lasting memories
From exciting team-building challenges and orienteering, to nature walks and shelter building, the trip provided the perfect blend of learning and fun
It was a fantastic experience that brought the class even closer together.
What a truly wonderful afternoon it was for pupils and our guests! From the many thoughtful details the individual bouquets, the beautifully decorated tables, the delicious food, and the lovely drawings by the younger children everything reflected such care and kindness
Caroline Moulinet, Lay Chaplain, commented: “I was deeply moved to witness so much joy on everyone’s faces, and quite a few teary eyes too, all touched by the love that shines so brightly from the St Joseph’s community. It was, without doubt, an afternoon that captured the spirit of living life to the full.”
DEPUTY MAYOR OF LONDON VISIT
YEAR 5 TRIP TO SAYERS CROFT
YEAR 5 DEBATING TEAM
A huge well done to the Year 5 debating team on their success at Kensington Town Hall Not only were the children fantastic ambassadors for our school, but they won two impressive awards! They were the winners of the audience vote and also received second place from the judges
Many compliments were given to the children about their confidence and articulation They were thrilled to bring two fabulous trophies back to school
Many thanks to the English Speaking Union (ESU) and the staff at Kensington Town Hall for organising and hosting such an excellent event
We are very proud of our pupils and look forward to entering more competitions in the future.
OUR LADY OF VICTORIES
It has been an exciting summer term at Our Lady of Victories with lots happening across the school Highlights include Year 5 attending the Jubilee Caritas Ambassadors event at Westminster Cathedral, our Sports Day at Fulham Football Club, and, to end the term with a literal BANG, Science Week!
We have had an overwhelming amount of support from our parent community and, on behalf of all of us at the school, I would like to say a very sincere thank you Together we have been able to provide some amazing experiences for our children and this would not have been possible without your support
I must also thank the staff who have dedicated so much time to helping our pupils, be that preparing for SATs, rehearsing lines for the school play, practicing for sports day, or encouraging them to keep learning to be the best they can be
Lastly, thank you to the children You make every day at Our Lady of Victories brighter and I hope you have a wonderful summer break
This half term, we celebrated Science Week with the theme of ‘change and adapt’ We enjoyed learning how different animals adapt to survive and making model animals with we had learnt about
Another highlight was exploring the fiery secrets of combustion with an explosive live experiment!
Thank you to our fantastic parent volunteers for inspiring the next generation of scientists.
We had the most incredible Sports Day at Holland Park at the end of term! Thank you so much to Fulham Football Club for organising and running such a wonderful day in the sun
From dress-up races, to long jump, to vortex howler throwing, to sprints, we did it all! It was great to get some fresh air, exercise and to spend a lovely morning building teamwork and sportsmanship skills with the whole school.
SCIENCE WEEK: CHANGE AND ADAPT
SPORTS DAY AT HOLLAND PARK
ST THOMAS MORE
There has been so much to celebrate across the school this term from Year 7 sourcing ingredients, making, marketing and selling their very own chutney with Whole Foods to our Year 11 pupils celebrating a memorable five years at St Thomas More at their prom Whilst we are sad to see such a wonderful cohort leave the school, it has been a privilege to watch them grow into such kind, confident, and funny young adults during their time at the school We look forward to hearing all about your achievements beyond St Thomas More and urge you all to stay in contact with the school - you will always remain a part of our community
As we look back over the summer term, we also look forward to welcoming our new cohort of Year 7 pupils, who visited the Science department at the end of the term It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm as they got stuck into the practical activities We can’t wait to welcome them back in September. Wishing all of our pupils and families a restful summer break!
During our Saint Thomas More Day celebrations, we reflected on a homily about our patron saint, St Thomas More, inspiring us with his faith and courage The offertory was beautifully accompanied by the Channel of Peace sung in Spanish, adding a special touch of calm and unity
We were also proud to present our prefects to the school community, recognising their leadership and commitment.
Pupils from St Thomas More Language College attended a Marketing workshop at Whole Foods in High Street Kensington where they investigated (and sampled!) ingredients in preparation to sell their STMLC chutney in July
Pupils then sourced their own fresh ingredients and cooked up a delicious batch of rhubarb chutney before filling the shelves with their product ‘The Best in the West’.
EARTH FEST 2025
A group of Year 9 students from St Thomas More Language College attended Earth Fest 2025 around King’s Cross In recognition and celebration of Earth Day each year, Earthfest London holds a four-day event with music, art, food, and exhibitors to promote sustainability
Highlights of the day included a talk from the Deputy Mayor of London, a session with two PhD students from Imperial, and a visit to the careers fair
Pupils also took part in an interactive workshop by Another Way on how we can act to mitigate climate change, explored the Natural Harmony exhibition in Granary Square, and ended the day at Camley Street Natural Park, where the London Wildlife Trust guided them in exploring a variety of urban plants and animals.
FEAST OF ST THOMAS MORE
WHOLE FOODS MARKETING WORKSHOP
SCHOOL MINISTER VISIT
We were delighted to welcome Catherine McKinnell, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) to The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School to talk to those students who are taking part in the SJSERA Summer Teaching Internship Programme this year
The Saint John Southworth Enterprise and Research Alliance is the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust teacher training provider based in central London with a thriving network of faith and non-faith Primary and Secondary schools around the capital Since our inception, we have grown rapidly and now work with a wide range of schools and other educational institutions nationwide supporting each other in a variety of ways
What we offer:
One year school-based teacher training courses to obtain Primary or Secondary Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with PGCE (optional)
National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for qualified teachers
Paid 3-week Summer Internship Programme for undergraduates to gain an insight into the teaching profession
Online Get into Teaching Experience Sessions and in person events to gain an understanding of what you need to become a teacher
SUMMER TEACHING INTERNSHIP 2025
Catherine was joined by Sue Lovelock, Director at Schools Group, Sarah Bastan-Hagh, Head of Explore Teaching at Get Into Teaching, and Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater The visit began with observing a lesson delivered by our interns followed by a discussion with interns to discuss how they have found their time on the programme and their aspirations to teach
Catherine commented on how it was great to hear how our interns are considering a career in teaching based on their positive experience.
We were pleased to welcome 26 interns to The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School for the SJSERA Summer Teaching Internship Programme this term
Over three weeks, our interns gained a greater understanding of the role of a teacher, observed and supported lessons, prepared and taught lesson components, provided support to pupils and supported the wider life of the school, including on trip.
The Saint John Southworth Enterprise & Research Alliance are thrilled to announce the successful graduation of our new teachers from the schoolled teacher training programme, based at The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School
We wish them all the very best as they embark on their teaching journeys Their passion and commitment will undoubtedly make a positive impact in classrooms across our community.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS
We have had some very successful Giving Days across the Trust this term Thank you to everyone in our community who has supported these events The funds raised will make a real difference in bridging the gap between government funding and our enriched curriculum provision
If you would like to further support our schools and pledge to make a regular gift that is transformative to our fundraising campaign, please email development@sjscat co uk to discuss options to support the Trust
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this
VACANCIES TRAIN TO TEACH
Thank you for taking an interest in joining Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust (SJSCAT) We are a Trust in the Archdiocese of Westminster with a strong Catholic ethos, a tradition of outstanding academic outcomes and a strong regard for good behaviour, selfdiscipline and self-improvement among its pupils
If you would like to be part of this vibrant, forward-thinking yet traditional Trust then apply to join our team today For more information and to show your interest in this role please contact us at teach@sjscat co uk We look forward to hearing from you
We are currently looking for a wide range of enthusiastic, bright candidates who are excited about the prospect of training to teach! With places in over 22 subjects available, the SJSERA prides itself on providing an environment in which new teachers can flourish, grow, and excel With dedicated mentors on hand, the courses we offer give you the chance to really get stuck into your first year of training
We will be running a series of school experience days and webinars for those who would like to find out more information about the Train to Teach process You can find more at www sjscat/SJSERA co uk
